Even where there are deepening divisions, love is possible.
Even when there is suffering, joy is possible.
Even in the midst of brokenness, rebuilding is possible.
A simple, singing monk from the 13th century just might be able to teach us what is still possible—for us, today.

Via Divina – The Franciscan Way from InterVarsity Study Abroad on Vimeo.

Join in this third edition of Via Divina – The Franciscan Way – a digital pilgrimage in which you can participate wherever you find yourself this summer.

From June 28 – August 2 engage with five audioguides that follow Francis through the narrow stone streets of Assisi and along the dirt paths of the Umbrian countryside. We will share in his journey of transformation from disillusioned youth to joy-filled fool for Christ. Francis’ full-hearted embodiment of the way of Jesus sparked a deeply felt renewal within himself and within the Church.

Let the stories of Francis and Clare, along with scripture, prayer practices, and contemporary stories, inspire you this summer in an experience of walking in the Divine Way (Via Divina).

Learn more at: https://gfm.intervarsity.org/divina-franciscan-way-faculty-ministry

Ways You Can Engage

1. Register and walk with us from June 28 – August 2 – https://gfm.events.intervarsity.org/franciscanwayfacultyministry

2. If the July timeframe doesn’t work for you, sign up for The Franciscan Way hosted by the InterVarsity Study Abroad Team – May 13 – June 13 – https://intervarsity.org/via-divina/franciscan-way

3. Invite your campus group, church, family, friends, or small group. Send a few personal invitations and plan to take this journey with others. Discounts are available for those walking with a group!

This is open to faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and InterVarsity Ministry Partners. Anyone who wants to explore the practice of pilgrimage, learn about Franciscan spirituality, and deepen their faith walk. We look forward to seeing you along the Franciscan Way!

The post Via Divina: The Franciscan Way appeared first on Emerging Scholars Blog.

Racial tensions continue to be a part of the American landscape. George Yancey, a Baylor sociologist identifies two failed strategies to address these tensions. One is colorblindness, that ignores the realities of race and the historical injustices that have taken place. The other is antiracism, that in centering racial concerns often alienates people essential to the process.

In our May ESN Conversation, we will be talking with George Yancey about his new book, Beyond Racial Division, and the alternative approach he proposes based on his research. He advocates for a collaborative conversations in a mutual accountability model. The model allows for different responsibilities for different participants within a shared commitment to mutual accountability and to the common good.

Our Conversation will be on May 19 at 1 pm ET/12 pm CT/11 am MT/10 am PT and 7 am if you are in Hawai’i. Sign up for a zoom link today at https://tinyurl.com/ESNBeyondRacialDiv

Copies of the book at a discount price will be available to call participants and there will be time for audience discussion with George Yancey.

Begins March 31, Thursdays at 8P EDST

Calling all mathematicians! Join our weekly reading group engaging with the book Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su (Harvey Mudd). The book intertwines themes of math, philosophy, justice and grace and is a fruitful resource for Christians working in math. These discussions will be led by Ben Wormleighton, Postdoctoral Lecturer in Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis. We’ll meet over Zoom from March 31st to May 26th on Thursday evenings (5-6pm PT / 6-7pm MT / 7-8pm CT / 8-9pm ET) including conversations with the author in the first and last weeks. Research and teaching faculty, postdocs, and graduate students are all welcome. If you are not able to commit to the group, we would still love to have you join for the conversations with Francis Su on 3/31 and 5/26.

Register for the Reading Group

April 22, 2022 – 12P EDST

Derek Schuurman, professor of computer science at Calvin University, will discuss how designing and using technology can actually be a way of loving God and our neighbors. This event is being co-sponsored with Women in the Academy and Professions (WAP), Christian Women in Science (CWIS), and Emerging Scholars Network (ESN).

Register for Upcoming ESN Conversation

Frank Turek will be back at The Ohio State University on March 8th, 2022 to present his talk “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist.” The event will be a 7: 30 pm at The Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43210.

Promotional video

Hosted by InterVarsity Faculty Ministry and Study Abroad
March 2 – April 19, 2022

Looking for refreshment this Lent?

A way to practice the presence of God during this season?

Join Faculty Ministry and Study Abroad as we follow Jesus together through audio guided walks right from your front door. Whether or not you participated in Via Divina: The Celtic Way last summer, you are welcome to gather with us on your own or with a group to journey toward Christ’s resurrection celebration in the spirit of Celtic Christianity. Register today and invite colleagues, friends, family, and others to join us along the Celtic way.

Click Here to Learn More and Register

Join us in June for our first in-person Midwest Faculty Conference in two years at the beautiful Cedar Bay (formerly Cedar Campus) for a week of refreshing time with other faculty families exploring what it means to follow Jesus in ambiguous times.  Ambiguity seems to have been our theme on campus the past two years as we have navigated our way through the pandemic, cultural divisions, and campus realities.  All of this uncertainty has created tension as it seemed right to do one thing and then perhaps something else.  Yet, when we follow Jesus, He helps us find our way forward.  Fred Hickernell will lead us as we explore ambiguity from the perspective of a professor.  Then, Lisa Sung will help us take a look at navigating ambiguity from a theological perspective.  Lori Woodall-Schaufler will begin our week as she delivers the Sunday morning worship message.

Our hope is that this conference will provide faculty families with an opportunity to get away from the uncertainty on campus and spend refreshing time together, while also learning and growing with other faculty families.  Camaraderie with colleagues, relaxing time with family, and deep times with Jesus will help us discover the way forward. We know the children of faculty enjoy this conference as much as their grown-ups and we hope and pray to be able to provide opportunities for us all.

More information and registration here.

Please stay connected through our conference website and our Facebook page(link is external) for information about our 2022 Midwest Faculty Conference as well as a new Faculty Pilgrimage this summer. Click here(link is external) to learn more about Cedar Bay Camp and Retreat Center.

December 9, 2021 at 5 pm ET.  Struggling with Evangelicalism. When evangelicals make a mess, who cleans it up? Many today are discarding the evangelical label, even if they still hold to the historic tenets of evangelicalism. But evangelicalism is a space, not just a brand, and living in that space is complicated. Bob Trube be talking with Dan Stringer about the struggles many of us have with evangelicalism in the present day. Sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/DanStringer

The post Upcoming Emerging Scholars Network Conversations appeared first on Emerging Scholars Blog.